- A
AWS DataSync
Why wrong: DataSync is for file-based data, not database migration.
- B
AWS DMS
DMS supports SQL Server as source and target.
- C
Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS
RDS for SQL Server supports restoring from .bak files in S3.
- D
AWS Storage Gateway
Why wrong: Storage Gateway is for hybrid storage, not database migration.
- E
AWS DynamoDB
Why wrong: DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not a migration service.
Question 510 of 1,730
DBS-C01 Deployment and Migration Practice Question
This DBS-C01 practice question tests your understanding of deployment and migration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO AWS services can be used to migrate an on-premises SQL Server database to Amazon RDS for SQL Server?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
AWS DMS
AWS DMS (Database Migration Service) is correct because it is purpose-built for migrating databases to AWS with minimal downtime, supporting homogeneous migrations like SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. It uses change data capture (CDC) to replicate ongoing changes, enabling near-zero downtime migrations. Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS is also correct because SQL Server's native backup/restore mechanism can be used to take a full backup, upload it to Amazon S3, and then restore it directly onto an RDS for SQL Server instance, which is a supported and common offline migration method.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
AWS DataSync
Why it's wrong here
DataSync is for file-based data, not database migration.
- ✓
AWS DMS
Why this is correct
DMS supports SQL Server as source and target.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS
Why this is correct
RDS for SQL Server supports restoring from .bak files in S3.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
AWS Storage Gateway
Why it's wrong here
Storage Gateway is for hybrid storage, not database migration.
- ✗
AWS DynamoDB
Why it's wrong here
DynamoDB is a NoSQL database, not a migration service.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume only AWS DMS is valid for database migrations, overlooking the fact that native SQL Server backup/restore to S3 is a fully supported and often simpler offline migration method for SQL Server to RDS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When using native SQL Server backup to S3, the backup file must be placed in an S3 bucket in the same AWS region as the target RDS instance, and the RDS instance must have the appropriate IAM role (e.g., `rds-s3-role`) with permissions to read from that bucket. The restore is performed using the `rds_restore_database` stored procedure, which supports both full and differential backups. AWS DMS for homogeneous SQL Server migrations uses the native SQL Server transaction log (via CDC) to capture changes, but note that DMS does not support all SQL Server data types (e.g., `hierarchyid`, `geometry`, `geography`) without additional configuration or custom transformations.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DBS-C01 question test?
Deployment and Migration — This question tests Deployment and Migration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: AWS DMS — AWS DMS (Database Migration Service) is correct because it is purpose-built for migrating databases to AWS with minimal downtime, supporting homogeneous migrations like SQL Server to Amazon RDS for SQL Server. It uses change data capture (CDC) to replicate ongoing changes, enabling near-zero downtime migrations. Native SQL Server backup to S3 and restore to RDS is also correct because SQL Server's native backup/restore mechanism can be used to take a full backup, upload it to Amazon S3, and then restore it directly onto an RDS for SQL Server instance, which is a supported and common offline migration method.
What should I do if I get this DBS-C01 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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